If you like political posturing, puffery, bombast, and breast-beating, then the reaction to that LETTER being sent out to 37,000 nursing home patients in Louisiana is tailor-made for political junkies like you.

The letter, sent out by the Louisiana Department of Health, got the desired reaction. CBS Evening News featured the story prominently in its Wednesday newscast, complete with a brief interview with Jim Tucker of Terrytown, operator of about a dozen nursing homes.

It’s interesting that Tucker was sought out for camera face time. He was Bobby Jindal’s Speaker of the House who abetted Jindal for eight years in gutting the state budget of services for the elderly and mentally ill. And now the roll him out in front of the cameras to cry wolf.

The Edwards administration tried to assure us, through Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne and LDH Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee, that this is not Chicken Little, that the sky really will fall if budget cuts are not restored by July 1, the date that the state is projected to fall over the metaphorical fiscal cliff when $650 million in tax revenue falls off the books.

Typically, the reaction by Republicans in the legislature, the same ones who have steadfastly refused to face fiscal reality since the beginning of the Jindal accident in 2008, was to scream foul to anyone who would listen—and there were plenty who did.

Dr. Gee, of course, did her part, even tearing up as she explained to the TV cameras that hearts “are breaking over the need to do this. We can’t provide services with no money to pay for them.”

Dardenne added his bit, saying, “This letter is scary, but it’s not a tactic. This is the reality that we are facing.”

But House Appropriations Committee Chairman Cameron Henry (R-Metairie) gave the best performance. With a lock of hair hanging down over his forehead a-la the late Bobby Kennedy, he bleated, “This is premature at best, reckless at worst,” adding that the letter was designed “to scare the elderly of this state, and that is an embarrassment.” No, Cameron, you’re an embarrassment.

Ditto for Rep. Lance Harris (R-Alexandria), chairman of the House Republican Delegation, who called the letter an “unnecessary political scare tactic done to intimidate and frighten the most vulnerable people into believing they will be kicked out onto the streets if the governor doesn’t get everything he wants in the form of revenue.”

And Cameron Henry should understand that the legislature as a body is no less an embarrassment to those of us who have been forced to observe its collective ineptitude on a daily basis for 10 years now. To quote my grandfather, they couldn’t find a fart in a paper bag.

Lost in all the rhetoric is the hard fact that the administration might not have found it necessary to send out the letter—regardless whether it’s a scare tactic or reality—had the legislature made any effort to face up to its responsibility to the 4.5 million citizens of this state.

But here’s the real reality—and just remember where you read it:

Not a single nursing home patient is going to be evicted. Not one.

Want to know why?

Money.

And I don’t mean money to be appropriated by the legislature to properly fund state government, nursing homes included.

I’m talking about campaign money.

Lots of it. Tons of it.

Since 2014, individual nursing homes, nursing home owners, and nursing home political action committees have contributed more than $750,000 to Louisiana politicians, primarily legislators. Here is just a partial list of NURSING HOME CONTRIBUTIONS

And that’s just over the past four years.

More than $50,000 was contributed the campaign of Edwards.

Henry, the one who called out the administration for its “scare tactics,” received more than $10,000 since 2014.

Senate President John Alario also received more than $12,000 over the same time span.

Louisiana Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell said on the Jim Engster show on Louisiana Public Radio earlier this week that since he first ran for the legislature more than 40 years ago, the cost of seeking political office has become cost prohibitive. Foster said when he first ran for the State Senate in 1975, he borrowed $7,500 to finance his campaign. “Now, it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars” and the average person who wants to serve cannot afford to do so, he said.

I’ve always wondered why corporations and the wealthy who seem so concerned about “good government” don’t use their money to help others rather than lavish it on politicians. The money they throw at politicians and lobbyists could be put to such more productive use—but they don’t try because they don’t really care about good government. And every now and then, I can’t help wondering why that is.

But I don’t wonder about it long. The answer is obvious: power and influence.

And that’s a sorry commentary on our political system, from the local level all the way to the very top of the political pyramid.

And it’s for that reason that not a single nursing home resident will be evicted. By some miracle, repeated every year, it seems, extra money will be “found” to do what is politically expedient.

Because the money has already been spread around by those who buy influence and legislators.

18 Responses

I have to ask what is probably a “dumb” question…why does running for office cost so much? Where are these hundreds of thousands of dollars spent? Are the never-ending TV and newspaper ads really that effective in swaying voters and do they really cost this much? I rarely pay any attention to these campaign ads – I prefer to do research on their past records and platforms and this is virtually free. As I said…probably a dumb question…but, I just wonder where ALL of this money goes. Multiply hundreds of thousand of dollars by many candidates…it is “mind numbing!”

TV advertising filled with half-truths and outright lies do, in fact, sway voters. You are the exception. Also, thousands and thousands are spent on consulting firms that conduct research on voter trends, issues, etc.—and dig up dirt on opponents.

My opponent in the last two BESE elections spent approximately $500,000 (I spent under $10,000). His “real” campaign costs were in the form of at least 5 printed mail outs (include postage) to thousands of voters along with TV ads. You can figure that cost. Then there are the costs that mostly represent payouts to “Friends” who provide questionable campaign management services, financial reporting services, event planning etc. then there’s food and miscellaneous campaign expenses. You can see the exact expenditures and donations for any candidate on the Sec of State election finance website. It’s obscene. Most voters don’t study the candidates or attend forums or read the political news so seeing their faces and sweet children on a slick flyer sticks in their minds. It really is obscene

We really must ask ourselves why anyone would spend a half million dollars campaigning for a BESE spot that pays nothing but per diem expenses for meetings. IS THAT DEDICATION TO PUBLIC tSERVICE? BESE members actually have a lot of reading and work to do to prepare for days-long meetings. The per diem reimbursement covers hotel and meals on the days BESE meets, so no one is getting rich on that. This is a serious question. Why spend a fortune to win an elected position that pays nothing?

I don’t blame the Governor or Dr. Gee for sounding an alarm here. Why do we have to play this stupid game of chicken? Why did we pay big bucks for a special session which resulted in the Legislature doing absolutely nothing to correct the built-in budget shortfall? Looking at the body language of Gov. Edwards vs. Cameron Henry on CBS News yesterday, the governor has the upper hand & he knows it. The vast majority of citizens of Louisiana know the Legislature is to blame for this stupidity.

Before any programs can be cut, the federal government requires notices to go out to Medicaid recipients at least 10 days in advance, alerting them to the fact that they are losing their benefits, said Michelle Alletto, deputy secretary for the health agency.

So if that is correct, then the state had little choice other than to send out those letters, right? Just trying to sort through the b.s. and drama involved in this brouhaha.

Bingo! You are absolutely correct but you will never (with a capital N) get Lance Harris or Cameron Henry to acknowledge that. They’re far too caught up in trying to make Edwards look bad in any manner they can—including lying through their teeth.

Someone commented on Facebook that there are a lot of areas that could be cut before scaring old people. That person needs to be specific since higher education and health care are the ONLY areas that can be cut under the current Constitution—and the legislature, in its wisdom, just nixed a constitutional convention.

With the misinformation spread by many people with many agendas throughout the state, it is impossible for most people to see the truth through the fog.

For example, this item from KEEL radio in Shreveport popped up on my news feed this morning – a quote from an interview with State Rep. Dodie Horton”

“The Haughton rep tells KEEL listeners that “nursing home owners can only go on what they’re told and if the Governor is not going to appropriate the funding they need, they will be forced to send out the letters.” And Horton continues, “I’ve never seen a governor play chicken with the lives of seniors ever, in my lifetime, like this one has.”

Where to begin with what is wrong with this statement? Well, let’s start with the fact appropriation is the sole purview of the LEGISLATURE of which she is a member. And, what, I wonder, is the impetus for that gratuitous attack on the governor at the end? Hmmmm….could it be sheer partisan politics?

I personally see very little JBE has accomplished for the state. He has run for re-election from day one – apparently by trying to alienate as few potential voters as possible. This has been particularly notable with regard to the budget where his recommendations have broken no new ground. So he can be legitimately criticized without resorting to the kind of B. S. Rep. Horton and others are putting out while they fail to offer any alternatives and try to shirk their greatest power – appropriation.

And, before any of you bring up the governor’s veto powers, keep in mind the legislature, with sufficient guts and determination, can override vetoes. They almost never do, but they have that power.

Mr. Winham, I notice that Rep. Horton received $2000 in campaign contributions from the Louisiana Nursing Home PAC. Maybe she should return the money if she’s that ignorant of how state government works.

I noticed that my Representative posted a lengthy tirade on Facebook that attacked the Governor from several angles, decried the scare tactics, alluded that they were still working on THE BILL and perhaps, maybe, might have a solution. There were no details about any solution – almost would have you believe that there is no problem. Just lots of “we are working hard and the Governor is really, really awful.” I am going to check and see if he gets money from the owners of nursing homes, etc. I voted for him. He has had his chance. I will not be voting for him again. As we used to say, “Next election, the Dog Catcher can run and he will get my vote!” Does the Legislature honestly think we cannot figure out that they are dysfunctional with no plans to not be dysfunctional? End of rant!

The GOP House leadership is purposefully blocking any resolution of the Fiscal Cliff because they think the voters in Louisiana are so stupid they will blame the governor for their malfeasance. This was revealed in the special session. This fact needs to be repeated frequently so maybe the brainwashed GOP voters will at least vote against these turkeys. All the legislators lying about the Governor are just following the script.

Point Number Two

The Fiscal Cliff, before the Tax Scam, was about a billion dollars. According to sources at the time, Jindal cut business taxation by about a billion dollars per year. Business got this corporate welfare because they promised to grow their businesses and create jobs. There was a recent report that Louisiana’s economy is shrinking and is the worst in the nation. The Corporate Welfare Queens have broken their promises and don’t deserve the tax breaks they are getting. If the legislature would cancel the undeserved tax breaks, restoring taxation to pre-Jindal level, the Fiscal Cliff issue would be resolved.

And the lack of growth is not just because oil and gas prices are down. There are lots of states with big oil and gas that are doing better than Louisiana.

Minor Point Two A

The GOP also cut taxes on the wealthy people they call job creators. They also are not creating jobs and should be paying their fair share of taxes.

Minor Point Three

The most immoral tax break I know about is the horizontal drilling tax exemption that has lead to tens of billions worth of fracking gas production with virtually zero taxation.

Shame on them, whoever they are, for upsetting our elderly. Man, I’ve seen good, and this ain’t it ! Tom, please shine a bright spotlight on those who are responsible for this insane disrespect of our elderly, so we can “tar, and feather them” this next election !

That would be the House GOP leadership and ALL the rest of the GOP legislators who go along with them. They are the ones who have refused to fix the Fiscal Cliff while spending $millions for regular and special sessions.

The Senate Finance Committee passed a budget that fully funds DHH (and the nursing homes) while cutting elsewhere. They then made light of what they had done, calling it make believe.

In my opinion they missed an opportunity to answer, seriously, what the alternatives are to the bill with which they were presented. Are their cuts “cockamamie” as chairman LaFleur called them? If so, why even present them? Trivializing what they produced will give the house a perfect excuse to put the blame back on the governor and now the senate for not cutting “what needs to be cut.” Of course, they will get by without telling us what that might be.

Bottom-line: As I suggested months ago, since nobody has a better plan, and since rancor reigns supreme, they should have simply admitted they were incapable of responsible governing and made the “temporary” new one cent sales tax permanent. Would doing so have been an irresponsible cop-out? Yes. Can they do better? Apparently not. Is this whole thing disgusting? YES.

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